How to Repot a Houseplant Step by Step

To repot a plant, water it the day before, ease it out of its current pot, loosen circling roots, and set it at the same depth in a pot only 1 to 2 inches wider, filled with fresh potting mix. Spring is the best time, and the new pot should always have a drainage hole.

How do I know when my plant needs repotting?

The clearest sign is roots escaping. If you see roots growing out of the drainage hole or pushing up through the soil surface, the plant has run out of room.

Other clues are more subtle. Extension horticulturists at North Carolina State list soil that dries out unusually fast, yellowing lower leaves, and slow growth despite regular spring and summer feeding as signals that a plant may be pot-bound (NC State Extension).

To check directly, spread your fingers over the soil, turn the pot upside down, and slide the plant out. Colorado State University Extension describes a pot-bound plant as one whose roots form a white mass circling the container (CSU Extension). If you mostly see soil with a few roots, put it back and check again next year.

When is the best time to repot a plant?

Spring is the best season for most houseplants. Plants are entering active growth, so new roots move into fresh mix quickly and the plant has the whole growing season to settle in.

Avoid repotting a plant that is already stressed by a move, a cold draft, or a recent pest problem unless the pot itself is the issue. Flowering plants are usually best repotted after they finish blooming. Orchids have their own timing and media, which we cover in our guide on how to repot an orchid.

What size pot should I use when repotting?

Choose a new pot only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the old one. Both Colorado State and NC State Extension give this same range (CSU Extension; NC State Extension).

It is tempting to jump several sizes so you can repot less often. The trouble is that a large volume of soil around a small root ball stays wet long after the roots have taken what they need, which invites root rot.

For a deeper look at matching pot size to plant size, see our planter size guide.

What do I need to repot a houseplant?

Gather everything before you start so the roots are not left exposed while you hunt for tools.

• A new pot with a drainage hole, about 1 to 2 inches wider than the old one. Browse planters and pots if you need one.
• Fresh potting mix suited to the plant (a general indoor mix for most foliage plants, a gritty mix for cacti and succulents, bark for orchids).
• Clean pruners or scissors for trimming damaged roots.
• A trowel or scoop, and gloves if you like.
• A piece of mesh screen or a coffee filter to cover a large drainage hole.
• Newspaper or a repotting mat to catch spills. Our plant care tools collection has mats, scoops, and snips.

Use bagged potting mix rather than soil dug from the yard. CSU Extension notes that garden soil drains poorly indoors and can carry weed seeds and disease organisms (CSU Extension).

How do you repot a plant step by step?

1. Water the day before. Slightly moist roots slide out more easily and hold together better than bone-dry ones.
2. Prepare the new pot. If you are reusing a pot, scrub it clean first. Cover the drainage hole with mesh or a coffee filter so mix stays in while water flows out.
3. Add a base layer of mix. Put enough slightly moist potting mix in the bottom so the top of the root ball will sit about an inch below the rim.
4. Remove the plant. Turn the pot on its side, support the base of the stems with one hand, and tap or squeeze the pot until the root ball slides out. Do not yank the plant by its stems.
5. Inspect and loosen the roots. Healthy roots are firm and usually pale. Trim any that are black, mushy, or smell sour. Gently tease apart roots that circle the outside; if they are very tight, make a few shallow vertical cuts with a clean knife.
6. Position the plant. Set it in the center of the new pot at the same depth it grew before. Burying the stem deeper than it was can lead to rot.
7. Fill around the sides. Add mix around the root ball, tapping the pot on the table to settle it. Firm lightly with your fingers, but do not pack it hard.
8. Water thoroughly. Water until it runs out of the drainage hole, let it drain, and top up any spots where the mix sinks.

Should I put gravel or rocks at the bottom of the pot?

No. This is one of the most persistent houseplant myths. A layer of gravel seems like it should help water escape, but it actually works against drainage.

Water does not move readily from fine potting mix into coarse gravel until the mix above is fully saturated. NC State Extension notes that this means a gravel layer reduces drainage rather than improving it (NC State Extension). The practical effect is a soggier root zone sitting higher in the pot.

A drainage hole and a good potting mix do the job. Our article on whether planters need drainage holes explains the options if you love a pot that has none.

How do I care for a plant after repotting?

Some droop in the first few days is normal while roots recover. Help the plant along with a gentle routine.

• Keep light moderate. Place it in bright, indirect light rather than hot direct sun for a week or so.
• Water carefully. Fresh mix holds moisture well. Check with a finger before watering again rather than following a fixed schedule.
• Hold off on fertilizer. Most fresh potting mixes contain some nutrients, and stressed roots are easily burned. Wait several weeks before feeding.
• Leave it in place. Avoid moving it around while it adjusts.

Can I refresh the soil without moving to a bigger pot?

Yes. If a plant is the size you want, or it is already in a large floor planter, you can root-prune and return it to the same pot.

Slide the plant out, shave off about an inch of roots around the sides and bottom with a clean knife, add fresh mix to the pot, and replant at the original depth. For very large plants, simply scraping away the top couple of inches of old mix and replacing it with fresh mix (called top-dressing) is a reasonable middle ground.

Heavy floor plants are also easier to manage on a sturdy base. Many people pair a newly repotted plant with a stand from our plant stands and shelves collection to lift it into better light.

Shop the products in this guide

• Repotting Mat 27x27", Waterproof Foldable Plant Mat – Snap the corners up to contain soil and water while you repot indoors.
• Hand Tool Set 3 Piece with Storage Bag, Trowel and Rake – A trowel, transplanter and rake for scooping mix and loosening roots.
• Banded Stoneware Planter 8" with Drainage, White or Gray – A planter with drainage for moving a plant up to the next pot size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should houseplants be repotted?

Fast growers may need a bigger pot every year, while slow growers such as snake plants and many succulents can go several years. Check the roots each spring and repot only when they fill the pot.

Is it normal for a plant to wilt after repotting?

Mild wilting for a few days is common while damaged root tips regrow. Keep it out of harsh sun and avoid overwatering. If wilting lasts more than two weeks, check for soggy soil or rot.

Can I repot a plant in winter?

You can if there is an urgent problem such as root rot or a cracked pot. Otherwise, wait for spring, when the plant is growing actively and recovers faster.

Do I need to remove all the old soil?

No. Shake off loose, old mix and gently tease the outer roots, but leave most of the root ball intact. Stripping all the soil off healthy roots causes unnecessary stress.

Sources

• Colorado State University Extension, PlantTalk: Houseplants – Repotting
• NC State Extension, Wayne County: How to Repot a Houseplant